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Jeffco Open Space wildlife closures

Posted
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 9:53 am

Each year Jeffco Open Space uses seasonal wildlife closures at the parks to protect species at sensitive times in their life cycles. This year’s seasonal wildlife closures affect five Jeffco Open Space parks. Many began on Feb. 1.

Centennial Cone Park

Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park, including the interior of the park, is closed through mid-June to protect elk during their calving season.

Clear Creek Canyon Park

The area of Clear Creek Canyon Park near Mile Marker 270 is closed to all public use uphill of the US Highway 6 corridor through July 31 to protect active golden eagle nesting territory. This closure encompasses the following rock climbing sites: Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation and Ghost crag. The Fault Caves are also closed to visitation during this seasonal closure.

The area of Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Tunnel 2, is closed to all public use uphill of the US Highway 6 corridor through July 31 to protect active golden eagle nesting territory. This closure encompasses the following rock climbing sites: Highlander, Evil Area and Tetanus Garden.

North Table Mountain Park

Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park is closed through July 31 to protect active raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

Cathedral Spires Park

Cathedral Spires Park is closed from March 1 through July 31 to protect active raptor nesting territory.

Crown Hill Park

The Crown Hill Park National Urban Wildlife Refuge is closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.

Seasonal wildlife closures apply to all park visitors and all types of visitation. Jeffco Open Space staff use applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and guidelines as well as institutional knowledge of wildlife populations to delineate closure areas and time periods. Seasonal wildlife closures are put into place in response to conditions on the ground to protect sensitive species. Jeffco Open Space Natural Resources staff and wildlife monitoring volunteers monitor local conditions during closures and adjust as needed.

Violations of seasonal closures implemented to protect Bald or Golden Eagles may result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both.

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